Roland Berger adds new partner and principals to senior ranks

Roland Berger has boosted its senior ranks in the Middle East with a new partner – Luis Flavio Araujo – and two new principals – Sebastian Grunow and Ricardo Tassi.

Appointed a partner in the Operations practice, Luis Flavio Araujo has over 18 years of experience in operations, all of which he gained in the world of strategy and management consulting.

Araujo joins Roland Berger from McKinsey & Company, where he spent the past thirteen years, latterly as a partner in its São Paulo office. The Brazilian national relocated to Dubai at the start of this month. “I am honoured to lead the Operations practice of Roland Berger in the Middle East,” he said.

“The region presents a variety of opportunities and challenges. Drawing from my diverse experiences across various global sectors, I am eager to collaborate with our clients here, guiding them towards innovative and effective operational solutions that propel their businesses forward in this rapidly evolving market,” said Araujo added.

Araujo started his career at Kearney, where he specialised in strategic operations and supply chain management.

Throughout his career, Araujo has advised on major consumer goods mergers, innovative processes for global animal protein and grain trading leaders, the digitisation of the fleet planning on one of Brazil’s largest distribution operation, as well as multiple efficiency and transformation programs. His experience spans multiple industries, notably logistics, retail, consumer goods, agribusiness, and industrial goods.

Sebastian Grunow and Ricardo Tassi have both joined as a principal in the Digital practice, the latter hired externally, while Grunow crosses from Roland Berger’s team in home market Germany.

With ten years of experience in consulting, Grunow is an expert in digitalisation and IT transformation, boasting a track record of successfully managing large-scale digital transformations in Europe and the Middle East.

His background also includes leadership positions at well-known software firms, where he was instrumental in steering digital transitions, enhancing IT frameworks, and leveraging IT to meet business objectives.

Tassi comes aboard from Salesforce, where he was a product and go-to-market strategy director focused on clients in the financial services. In addition, Tassi brings a rich background in the consulting setor, having previously served McKinsey & Company for five years, and before that EY and Accenture.

Like Araujo a Brazilian national, Tassi also had a spell as an entrepreneur, founding and leading a digital marketing agency and e-commerce startup in Brazil.

Commenting on the appointments, Santiago Castillo, Managing Partner at Roland Berger in the Middle East, said: “The inclusion of these seasoned profeesionals into our senior ranks is a testament to our growth and ambitions. Their diverse experiences and unique perspectives will undeniably fortify our expertise in the high-demand sectors of the region. We eagerly look forward to the elevated trajectory they promise for Roland Berger.”